Now Accepting Applications for Home Ownership
applications must be received by UVHFH by Friday, April 1, 2022.
The Sargeant-Goodrich family has withdrawn from the Homeownership Program as they will be taking advantage of an incredible opportunity to move out of New England and to warmer climes. In the Spring, we will build the Lebanon home as-designed and are currently accepting applications for homeownership to select a new partner family for this home.
While it is bittersweet to be losing Shannon and her boys, we are thrilled for them and the new adventure they have ahead of them and are confident we’ll receive strong applications and look forward to having the chance to partner with an equally wonderful family and build a comfortable and affordable new home for them.
If you would like to apply, please read the below information (including eligibility guidelines below) and fill out the Homeownership Application, which is due 4/1/22.
Please fill out this form if you would like to be notified when we are accepting applications again in the future.
In the meantime, please read our Homeownership Guide and Eligibility Guidelines to learn about the application and homebuying process:
eligibility guidelines:
Habitat partner families are selected by our Family Committee through a careful application review and interview process. Please realize that the application process may take four months or longer from date of submission to final approval.
If you are unsure about your eligibility for a Habitat home, please call or email us with your questions.
Upper Valley Habitat will review your application using the following criteria:
You must demonstrate a need for an Upper Valley Habitat home, including:
Your current housing situation is inadequate and substandard (overcrowded or unsafe).
You are living with family or friends, or in temporary housing.
You are cost-burdened: Rent is more than 30% of the household’s monthly income.
The living conditions are inadequate for a person living with disabilities.
You are unable to access conventional bank financing.
Your total family income must be between 60% and 80% of HUD County Median Family Income (adjusted for the size of the family) for the community/county that you will be moving into. Eligibility based on AMI will vary by house location. See the table below for further detail.
You commit to pay an interest-free or low-interest rate mortgage.
You agree to provide 300 hours of “sweat equity” into building the home (including financial and home ownership education classes). In the case of a disability or other extenuating circumstances, we will make special arrangements to accommodate your needs.
You must be a resident of the Upper Valley for at least one year prior to applying.
You need to have reliable and verifiable income. This includes wages, pensions, disability, TANF, SSI, child support, but does not include any form of vouchers or vendor payments such as food stamps, fuel assistance, or similar programs. You must be at your current employer for at least one year, although we will consider extenuating circumstances.
Once you are fully approved, we require a $1,000 down payment to secure your commitment for an Upper Valley Habitat home. You will also need to demonstrate that you can save sufficient funds for closing costs when you take possession of your new home, typically between $3,000 to $5,000. We will help support you in this.
You agree to a sustainable commitment to responsible home ownership, and to an on-going partnership with Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity.
